Phil Salt Anchors Welsh Fire to First-Ever Victory Over Southern Brave in The Hundred

Phil Salt produced a composed unbeaten innings under pressure as Welsh Fire secured their first-ever victory over Southern Brave with a six-wicket win in a low-scoring Men's Hundred contest on Thursday.

Chasing a modest target of 136, Welsh Fire reached 138 for 4 with just two balls to spare, thanks largely to Salt's unbeaten 47, which guided the hosts through a tense finish after a dominant position threatened to unravel.

Salt held the innings together throughout the chase, sealing victory in style by pulling Chris Jordan over midwicket for six. His match-winning knock came after Welsh Fire appeared comfortably in control through a 49-run third-wicket partnership with Rachin Ravindra, who contributed a brisk 24 off 16 balls.

However, Ravindra's dismissal to leg-spinner Nikhil Chaudhary triggered a late wobble. With only 19 runs required from the final 20 balls, Southern Brave fought back through disciplined bowling from Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer. Rashid conceded just one run from his final five deliveries, while Archer gave away only nine runs from his next 10 balls, leaving Fire needing nine from the last five deliveries.

Salt remained calm under pressure, combining with Asa Tribe, whose timely boundary eased the tension before the England opener finished the chase with a decisive maximum.

Earlier, Welsh Fire's bowlers laid the foundation for victory with a disciplined display after opting to field first on a slow, two-paced surface. Seamers Chris Woakes, Sam Cook and Marco Jansen varied their pace effectively, restricting Southern Brave to 135 for 7 while conceding just 72 runs from their combined 60 deliveries.

Cook struck early with a well-disguised leg-cutter to dismiss Jamie Smith, before Ben McKinney fell to an excellent boundary catch by Ravindra. David Miller and teenage batter Thomas Rew then rebuilt the innings with a patient partnership.

Rew impressed on his competition debut, scoring 41 from 30 balls, while Miller recovered from a cautious start to finish with 44. The South African batter accelerated in the closing stages but was run out by a brilliant throw from Ravindra off the penultimate ball of the innings, limiting Brave to a total that ultimately proved insufficient.

Named Meerkat Match Hero, Salt credited his team's all-round effort after the match.

"It certainly wasn't easy out there. Chasing was an advantage on that surface, but in low-scoring games you have to bat deep and make sure you're there at the end," Salt said.

He also praised Ravindra's contribution, describing the New Zealander's aggressive innings as crucial in easing the pressure during the chase.

"Rachin's knock was massively important. We understood that I would hold one end while he attacked, and getting the equation close to a run a ball made a huge difference," he added.

Salt also highlighted Welsh Fire's performance in the field, praising the team's catching and disciplined bowling attack.

"We were electric in the field and bowled in the right areas throughout. There's still more improvement left in us, but it's a great start and I'm really enjoying this group."

The victory gives Welsh Fire their first win of the 2026 Men's Hundred campaign and their maiden success against Southern Brave after losing their previous eight meetings.